The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING LARRY DEAN MORSE II
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Larry Dean Morse II of Merced, California. Mr. Morse passed away on September 14th and lived a life of public service through his work as the 30th District Attorney of Merced County.
Mr. Morse was born on March 20, 1957 to Larry Morse, Sr. and Saranne Morse and grew up in Lancaster, California. After graduating high school, Mr. Morse attended the University of Arkansas where he majored in journalism and wrote for the school paper, which in 1979 landed him a job as a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. While in Little Rock, Mr. Morse met Cindy Robertson, who he would later go on to marry.
In 1981, Mr. Morse moved to Washington, D.C. to work as a Press Secretary and Legislative Aide to Congressman Bob Whittaker, beginning his career in politics and public service. After a couple of years in Washington, Mr. Morse decided to follow in his father's footsteps and moved to Sacramento to attend the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, which he attended with his wife Cindy. While in law school, he continued his public service, working as the Communications Director for the Senate Democratic Caucus and after earning his J.D., as Legislative Director for State senator Milton Marks.
Mr. Morse began his work as a trial attorney in 1993 when he moved to Merced to work as a member of the Merced County District Attorney's office, where he quickly rose through the ranks and in 1998 was appointed as the Chief Deputy District Attorney. In 2006, Mr. Morse was elected as the Merced County District attorney.
Mr. Morse's time as District Attorney was his biggest source of professional pride. During his tenure, he personally prosecuted the most cases out of his counterparts in many counties, including almost 20 murder cases. Additionally, he started the Violence Interruption and Prevention and Emergency Response (VIPER) program to marshal law enforcement intelligence resources to provide better information to officers on patrols and in investigations. After serving as the Merced County DA, Mr. Morse continued his public service as the Legislative Director for the California District Attorneys Association.
As one who was always civically engaged, Mr. Morse was a member of Merced Elks Lodge 1240, Los Banos Sportsman's Association, E Clampus Vitus, and founding member of the Merced Boys and Girls Club. Most notably, he played a vital role on the committee that brought a University of California campus to Merced.
Mr. Morse loved spending time with his family and was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He enjoyed traveling with his wife of 35 years Cindy and sons Dylan, Ethan, and Ryan, instilling ``The Golden Rule'' and a love of reading music. After Ethan's tragic death, he was comforted having his granddaughter Ava along with family and friends over to his house, which was a sanctuary to him and his family.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in honoring a skilled prosecutor, public servant, family man, and leader whose contributions to the greater Merced community and State of California will be remembered for generations. It is both fitting and appropriate that we honor him as family, friends, and community leaders gather to celebrate the life of a man who made Merced County a better place.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 165
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